Andrew Joyce

Andrew captures in his characteristic style both buildings and objects in a highly personal manner. His thick marker and clear lines are truly representative for both what he draws and how he is—a clear, honest fellow.

MC: What is your relationship to Tokyo?

AJ: I’m a UK illustrator living in Tokyo for the last three years.

MC: When and why did you start drawing the city?

AJ: When I first visited Tokyo over ten years ago, I wasn’t an illustrator or even wanted to be one yet. I just drew things ever since I was a child and visiting a new place is always a great opportunity to draw.

MC: How do you combine drawing with your work?

AJ: For me, it can sometimes be difficult to get the hobby of drawing back into everyday life. After a busy period at work I usually take a bit of a break. This brings time to think of new personal projects and collaborations. Recently I’ve been keeping sketchbooks where I do one drawing a day in. This way I can draw something for me everyday without taking up too much time.

MC: What is it you tried to achieve with your drawings of Tokyo?

AJ: Nothing in particular to be honest. If I see a view that catches my eye then I try to capture it. I like the busyness and shapes of the buildings in Tokyo, so I suppose I try to get that across in my drawings.

MC: What’s your favorite Tokyo place?

AJ: Ueno interests me a lot actually. It’s an old part of Tokyo with lots of little alleyways and markets with tons of restaurants and local hangouts to discover. It was the place I stayed when I first came to Tokyo so it always reminds of that time in my life. Whenever Tokyo becomes a bit normal, I go there and remind myself how excited I was arriving on my own ten years ago.

MC: Who is a reference for your work or is there someone whose work you particularly admire?

AJ: People like Kate Morross, Hennie Haworth, and Linzie Hunter are all illustration icons for me. All for slightly different reasons, but I like the lively and colorful nature of their work as well as the subjects they choose to illustrate. Recently, Fernand Léger’s Cirque has also been an inspiration.

MC: Did drawing change your life and if it did can you explain us in what way?

AJ: Well, it started as something I did everyday as an only child to pass the time and turned into something that become a career for me. It has also let me live in the city I love. I guess drawing has been, and will hopefully continue to be, one of the biggest factors of my life.

One Response to “Andrew Joyce”

I’m so fascinated by your drawings which I discovered by chance on the website of Goethe-Institut Tokyo. Are you selling your paintings as originals or prints? They would be a precious gift for Tokyo lovers and especially for those who have to leave after several years ( like we will do next year). I would be really interested to buy one (or more).